Chapter 8.1 – The Magic of Falling in Love (2)

Siln Lake, located not far from the outer area beyond the city walls, was said to have been a sanctuary for spirits in ancient times before the empire was established. Of course, as Siln Lake was intertwined with countless myths befitting its long history, the legend of it being a sanctuary for spirits was just one of many.  

However, mages referred to Siln Lake as the “Lake of Spirits.” This was because they could sense the remnants of spirits within the soft magical energy that filled the entire area.  

A land where spirits once dwelled was an excellent training ground for mages. In simpler terms, visiting the land of spirits allowed one to absorb magical energy. The area thrived with magic. This was why Peter chose Siln Lake as the place to break the love spell cast on Sylvester.  

Marianne had to go to Siln Lake with Sylvester. It wasn’t difficult to get Sylvester to accompany her to the lake. After all, Sylvester would do anything Marianne asked.  

The problem lay in Marianne’s heart. She didn’t want to carry out a story with a predetermined ending. But soon, she steeled herself. After postponing for an entire day, Marianne finally managed to ask Sylvester out on a date.  

“Would you like to… go to the lake with me?”  

It was her second time asking him out. With this short sentence, Marianne found herself standing on the final stage with Sylvester.  

“It’s beautiful.”  

Marianne murmured as she gazed at the lake cradling the bright moon in its embrace. It was only today that Marianne realized how beautiful a lake reflecting the night sky could be. Though she had visited lakes at night before, she couldn’t help but marvel repeatedly.  

“Yes. It’s truly beautiful.”  

Hearing Sylvester’s voice beside her, Marianne burst into laughter.  

“I know you’ve been looking at me the whole time…”  

Marianne turned her head toward Sylvester and teased him lightly.  

“Caught me.”  

Sylvester followed her lead and smiled cheekily. Perhaps the scenery of Siln Lake appeared even more beautiful because of the man beside her. Watching the fireflies dance around the lake and Sylvester standing under the soft moonlight, Marianne thought to herself: He was someone who made the world seem more beautiful just by being there.  

“…Did you enjoy today?”  

Marianne asked Sylvester in a gentle voice.  

“How could I not, when you’re by my side, Marianne?”  

Sylvester slightly lowered his head to meet her gaze.  

“That’s a relief… You see, I’ve been told so many times in my life that I’m a boring person. So, whenever I’m with you, I always worry. What if I’m the only one having fun?”  

Marianne continued.  

“That’s why, someday, I wanted to ask you if you enjoyed the time we spent together. And now… I’ve finally heard your answer.”  

“I don’t concern myself with dull things.”  

“…”  

“And yet, there’s only one person in this world I visit every single day… Miss Marianne Lane, the librarian. Do you know her? She’s someone who makes every moment delightful.”  

Hearing Sylvester’s playful words, Marianne’s lips softened into a gentle smile.  

“Thank you. For saying that.”  

“I mean it.”  

“I know you do, and that’s why I’m even more grateful.”  

While anyone could have genuine feelings for another, expressing and conveying those feelings was no easy task. Marianne understood that. That was why Sylvester’s sincerity, which had knocked on the doors of her closed heart, felt all the more precious.  

Marianne took a step closer to Sylvester. For some reason, the magic stone in her coat pocket felt warm.  

Marianne’s hand reached out and touched Sylvester’s cheek. His pale cheek, chilled by the wind, welcomed her warmth and pressed against her palm. As if finding him endearing, Marianne gently caressed his cheek.  

“I’ll never forget you, Sylvester.”  

Marianne finished her words with a tender smile. By now, Sylvester’s cheek had grown as warm as her hand.  

“I, too, will never forget this moment.”  

Sylvester replied, his voice carrying a tender weight that tugged at the heart.  

“…I like you very much.”  

Marianne’s hands rested on Sylvester’s shoulders as she finished speaking. Rising on her tiptoes, she cautiously kissed him. Sylvester’s hands soon wrapped around her waist.  

With a low chuckle, their kiss deepened. The time of parting drew near. In that final moment, Marianne was smiling. Even though it might not be a beautiful ending, Marianne was happier than anyone else at that moment.  

And just like that, the magic disappeared.  

The next day, and the day after that, Marianne could no longer see Sylvester.  

* * *  

On the third day since the magic had been broken—three days since Marianne had last seen Sylvester—his absence left Marianne with an indescribable emptiness and loneliness. These were feelings she wouldn’t have experienced had she never met him.  

Yet Marianne did not resent Sylvester. She tried to focus on the positive emotions she had learned from meeting him rather than the loneliness she now felt. Doing so brought her a smile.  

Even amidst endless thoughts, Marianne’s life carried on as usual. For the past three days, she woke up on time for work, ate her meals, washed herself, and walked to and from the library. No matter how she felt, Marianne had to make a living.  

However, today, there was something special she needed to do. It was to check on the progress of something she had been preparing even before her final moments with Sylvester.  

“The approval has come through.”  

Marianne sought out Anna and heard the answer she had been waiting for. Watching Marianne’s ambiguous expression, neither clearly bitter nor happy, Anna continued.  

“I told you, didn’t I? There are so many librarians who want to come to the capital.”  

“That’s fortunate.”  

“…Are you really going? It’s so quiet and boring there.”  

“I have to go.”  

“No, you could visit first, take a look around, work for a bit, and then decide. There’s no rush.”  

Anna tried to console Marianne. Marianne planned to leave the library. If she worked and lived in the capital, it would be inevitable that she would encounter Sylvester someday. Even if they didn’t meet, news about him would frequently find its way to her.  

‘Someday, news of Sylvester finding true love might echo throughout the entire capital.’  

While Marianne could endure most things, she felt she wouldn’t be able to bear that. So, she sought advice from Anna. She remembered how, during her training as an apprentice librarian, she had been told that in cases of unavoidable circumstances, it was possible to exchange workplaces with librarians assigned to other regions under the Emperor’s jurisdiction.  

If transferring wasn’t an option, Marianne had considered finding work at a private library or bookstore in a smaller town, relying on her experience at the Imperial Library. She didn’t want to return to her hometown. If she did, Marianne would inevitably become someone’s wife, an anonymous figure. After all, she had already severed ties with her family and left home.  

But now, there was no need for alternative plans. The director of the Imperial Library Association had approved her workplace transfer.  

Marianne felt she could never thank Anna enough. From her first day at the library until now, there hadn’t been a single day she wasn’t grateful to her.  

“But really… why? Sure, work can be hard sometimes, but there’s no place as good as this, Marianne.”  

Anna crossed her arms and spoke as if frustrated.  

“The bustling nature of the capital keeps making me feel uneasy… I think I might find some peace if I go to Sekmera.”  

Marianne replied with an awkward smile. Sekmera was a small town near the capital, home to the temples and monasteries of the state religion, the Inserin Order. It was so quiet and still that it had earned the nickname “City of Silence.”  

“Liar. There’s another reason, isn’t there?”

“Pardon?”  

Marianne asked Anna again, startled. Peter had said that once the magic disappeared, the memories of others would also become hazy. But hearing those words now…  

‘Ah. It must not have been completely erased but rather blurred, so she might be feeling uneasy.’  

Marianne nodded inwardly.  

“Just think of it as post-breakup blues.”  

Marianne laughed out loud, pretending to joke. Hearing her words, Anna’s brows furrowed and relaxed repeatedly. Her lips opened and closed but ultimately stayed shut. Normally, Anna would have caused a commotion, asking what on earth was going on after a breakup. Why was she so quiet now?  

‘Perhaps Anna has also experienced the pain of a breakup.’  

Marianne thought as she observed Anna’s unusual silence. However, Anna, mistakenly believing Marianne had forgotten everything, was currently imagining smacking Sylvester on the back of his head. How dare he play with our librarian and then leave? Anna’s fists trembled with rage.  

“I’ll say it again, even if it’s tiresome. Don’t just change your workplace out of nowhere; think of it as a short visit and go check it out. You could even try working with the applicant there for a while.”  

“…”  

“I’ll talk to the director and make sure everything goes smoothly.”  

Anna spoke sincerely.  

“Alright, I’ll do that.”  

After a moment of hesitation, Marianne finally gave a positive response. She couldn’t refuse Anna’s suggestion, knowing how much she cared.  

Two days later, Marianne left for a short-term assignment in Sekmera, the City of Silence.